Watering-trough.



Patented Feb. 6, I900.

' J. M. BESS.

WATERING THOUGH.

(Application filed Nov. 1, 1899.)

(No Model.)

STATES JEFFERSON M. BESS, OF REYNOLDS, INDIANA.

WATERING-TROUGH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 642,952, datedFebruary 6, 1900.

Application filed November 1, 1899- Serial No. 735, l5l. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JEFFERSON M. BESS, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Reynolds, White county, State of Indiana, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Watering-'Iroughs; andmy preferred manner of carrying out the invention is set forth in thefollowing full, clear, and exact description,terminating with claimsparticularly specifying the novelty.

This in vention relates to water-distribution, and more especially toautomatic tanks; and the object of the same is to produce an improvedwatering-trough for live stock which will automatically open the inlet,so as to admit more water when that within the trough is consumed andwill automatically close the inlet before the incoming water fills thetrough to overflowing.

To this end the invention consists in the specific construct-ion ofparts, as hereinafter more fully described and claimed and as shown inthe accompanying drawings, where- 1n Figure 1 is a perspective view ofthis trough ready for use, showing two openings for stock in the nearerside. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section showing the trough asempty. Fig. 3 is a detail of certain parts constructed as in Fig. 2.Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal section showing a slightly-differentconstruction of certain parts.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the body of this trough,havingopenings 2 out in its sides about where shown, and 3 is the coverthereof, having openings i cut in its edges, so as to register withthose in the body and permit the insertion of the heads and necks oflive stock. There may be more or less of these openings than shown inthe present drawings, and between them, within the body, are partitions5 with holes 6 near their lower edges, whereby all thedrinking-compartments opposite the openings are con nected with a maincompartment 7 at one end of the body. v 10 is the water-inlet pipe,passing through one end of the body into the compartment 7 above a float11, standing therein and having staples 12 in its upper face passingover a rod 13. The latter extends across within the compartment 7 andhas its ends removably engaging holes through the side walls of the bodyand yet made water-tight in any suitable manner, as by the insertion ofplugs lat in the outer ends of said holes. As seen in Fig. 3, this rodis preferably notched in its upper side at its center, as at 15, andinto this notch extends the inner end of the pipe 10, which preventsthelongitudinal movement of the rod until the pipeis first withdrawn. Bythis construction it will be seen that even if the rod should becomeloose in the holes in the sides of the bodyit could not accidentallymove longitudinally, so as to force out'a plug and permit a leak. Thevalve as here illustrated consists of a sheet 20,0f rubber or other softmaterial, adapted to be pressed against the inner end of the pipe 10,and in Fig. 2 this sheet is attached directly to the end of a bracket25, adj ustably secured to the float 11, as by a screw 26,passingthrough a slot 27 in the bracket and into the float, whereby whenthe pipe wears, the sheet compresses, or the parts become difierentlylocated in use adjustment can be effected to cause the continuedsuccessful operation of the whole.

In the construction shown in Fig. at the sheet 20 is attached to abacking 21, which is pivoted, as by a staple, into an eye 22 on thepipe, and the bracket 25 has a projection 250, rounded on its face,which bears against the backing, as shown. The advantage in thisconstruction over the simpler one above is that the bracket can beadjusted to a considerable extent, and yet the valve will always workfiat against the end of the pipe.

I do not confine myself to the use of either construction described andshown nor to the specific details or proportions of parts; but as tosizes my preference is to make the inside dimensions of the body aboutSlX feet long by one foot Wide and one foot deep, the float just largeenough to fit loosely within the compartment 7 when it standshorizontal, and the openings for the stock of any desired size, butpreferably eight inches wide and five inches deep and the pipe ofhalf-inch tubing.

In use the water flows in through the pipe and finds its levelthroughout the trough by means of the holes 6. As it rises in the maincompartment 7 the float turns pivotally' olf the supply of water. Fromtime to time the animals put their heads through the openings and drink,and as the water falls the float descends and causes the valve to openthe inlet, which remains open until the desired water-level is againreached. The cover is preferably made removable in order that access tothe interior may be had when desired.

What is claimed as new is- 1. In a watering-trough, the combination withthe body having openings at its sides for the heads of live stock,partitions between said openings pierced with holes near their loweredges and forming individual compartments within the body and a maincompartment at one end thereof, and an inlet-pipe passing through theend of the body into said main compartment; of a float fitting looselywithin said compartment, a pivotal support therefor, abracket having alongitudinal slot, a screw passing through the same into the float, anda valve at the end of the bracket closing against the end of the pipewhen the float rises, all as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a watering-trough, the combination with a body having severalindividual compartments and a main compartment, a feedpipe entering theend of the body and extending into said main compartment, and a rodacross this compartment and entering holes in the sides of the body andhaving a notch engaged by the inner end of said pipe; of a float beneaththe rod and having staples loosely embracing it so as to form a pivotalsupport, a bracket adjustably mounted on the float, and a valve moved bythe bracket into contact with the inner end of the pipe when the floatrises, substantially as described.

3. In a Watering-trough, the combination with a body whose upright sidesare provided with opposite holes, a transverse rod extending across thesame and partly into said holes, and plugs in the outer ends of thelatter; of an inlet-pipe entering the body, a float pivoted thereon, anda valve pressed against the end of the pipe by the rise of the float, asand for the purpose set forth.

4. In a watering-trough, the combination with the body, an inlet-pipeextending thereinto, a flap-valve at the end of the pipe for closing thesame, and a backing behind said valve and pivotally supported by thepipe; of a float pivotally mounted within the body, and a bracketadjustably mounted on the float and having a rounded projection engagingsaid backing as the float rises, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a watering-trough, the combination with a body, a feed-pipeentering the end of the body, a rod across within the latter andentering holes in the sides of the body and having a notch engaged bythe inner end of said pipe, and plugs in the outer ends of said holes;of a float beneath the rod and having staples loosely embracing it so asto form a pivotal support, a bracket on the float, and a valve moved bythe bracket into contact with the inner end of the pipe when the floatrises, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my signature this the17th dayof October, A. D. 1899.

JEFFERSON M. BESS.

Witnesses:

JOHN S. GRIPSNOR, FRED J. JENNINGS.

